LaureusAcademy Member

Missy Franklin

Swimming

Missy Franklin is a five-time Olympic gold medalist and world record-holder in the sport of swimming.

At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Franklin earned a gold medal as a member of the 4x200m free relay. The gold added to her medal haul from the 2012 Olympics in London, where she won four gold medals and one bronze medal (gold in the 100m back, 200m back, 4x200m free relay and 4x100m medley relay, and bronze in the 4x100m free relay).

Franklin won six gold medals at the 2013 FINA World Championships in Barcelona, becoming the first female swimmer in history to win six gold medals at a single World Championships. In all, she has earned a total of 11 World Championship titles.

Franklin, who was raised in Centennial, Colo., began swimming competitively at the age of five and competed in her first international event at the age of 14. In her two years competing at UC-Berkeley before turning professional, Franklin earned four individual NCAA titles and helped Cal win the 2015 NCAA Women’s Division I Swimming and Diving Team Championship. She currently lives in Athens, Ga., where she trains under coach Jack Bauerle and is working toward her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Georgia.